Page 80 of A Pact of Blood

I turn to face my new emperor, setting my mouth in a careful smile. “Good afternoon, Your Imperial Majesty. There was something I wanted to look up in the library before joining you all out here.”

It’d be no good lying about my whereabouts when Aurelia’s guards no doubt report her every interaction to him.

He hums to himself, his gray eyes glinting like steel. “After yesterday morning’s display, perhaps you should be researching combat techniques. Archery only gets you so far.”

I spread my hands as if in supplication. “Unfortunately my sacrifice makes me rather unsuited for the intensities of hand-to-hand combat. But I may seek out more training when we’re returned to Vivencia.”

From what I understand, we’re only going to remain here near Ubetta for another few days, touring the countryside for more festivities and lounging at the palace in between.

“A wise man develops every strength he can,” Marclinus says in a tone I can’t read, but he turns away a moment later, releasing me from the conversation.

Was he trying to rub my failure in my face—as if any ofhis own nobles could have bested Raul in battle either? Or is he already working some new scheme I haven’t gotten a clear picture of yet?

With renewed apprehension, I stroll between the flower beds, veering toward the shade of the neatly spaced trees to avoid the full blaze of the summer sun. There’s little breeze this afternoon. The floral scent hangs in the air, cloyingly thick.

I pass many chattering nobles, one cluster of which Raul has inserted himself into. His laugh is dark enough that I don’t think he’s enjoying himself, but since he’s the only one of us who’s ever socialized much with the Darium nobles, one of his tasks is joining their gossip and listening for any information that might reveal one of Marclinus’s weaknesses.

Aurelia’s whole plan will fall apart if there’s no way she can take the emperor down without being exposed as a murderer.

I meander on toward the garden’s largest fountain and hesitate at an unexpected pairing that’s come into view by a nearby hedge.

The sun glares off Neven’s white-blond hair where he’s standing with High Commander Axius. The imperial military advisor makes a few brusque gestures of his hand to emphasize what he’s saying, and Neven nods as if to show he’s taking it all in.

What would my youngest foster brother be talking to one of Marclinus’s closest colleagues about? Did Axius draw him apart from the rest of us for some reason?

Or possibly the kid sought out the high commander for this conversation. I know his ego was smarting after his quick dispatching in yesterday’s scuffle.

Does he think the highest military officer in the empire is going to offer combat tips? Raul would happily arrange more sparring sessions.

I walk over to the fountain to enjoy the faint coolness offered by the running water, though there isn’t enough breeze to produce a spray. Someday, perhaps I’ll be able to summon one without needing to worry about the consequences.

After a few minutes, Axius claps Neven on the shoulder in an unnervingly companionable gesture and strides off. The kid watches him go with a flinty expression, as if he’s girding himself for some difficult mission.

I don’t like the looks of that at all.

I join him, taking on a casual air in case anyone notices us. “I didn’t know you were friendly with the high commander.”

Neven’s face twitches with a hint of guilt. “I just had a few things I wanted to ask him about.”

So he’s the one who approached Axius rather than the other way around. I don’t know if that’s better or worse.

My lips twist into a sympathetic grimace. “You shouldn’t take the fight yesterday too hard. Raul has five years of combat experience on you, including all the real arena battles he’s fought in. Once you’re finished with your core studies in a year or so?—”

Neven cuts me off with a shake of his head and a flash of his eyes. “It’s not about that. There are bigger things for us to think about than one stupid skirmish that was more like a show, aren’t there?”

I pause, studying him. “What do you mean?”

He guffaws with typical teenage defiance. “Things are changing. We have to be prepared. Do you think I don’t know that you three are always going off and deciding things without me? I need to be ready too.”

A chill washes over me. “Neven, we’ve never meant to shut you out. If there’s anything that’s bothering you, we’d rather you came to us?—”

He shrugs me off. “It’s not that important. You wouldn’t understand anyway. I just need to figure some things out for myself.”

He strides away without a backward glance.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Aurelia

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